Staff

Executive Director: David S. East (he/him)

David East has over 20 years experience as a ceramic artist and educator, 15 of which, in a leadership role. East’s work includes an arts practice, education, curatorial work, writing as well as a long and varied involvement with Watershed. From his time as the cook and co-residence manager in 1995, to work in service to the organization, to his participation as an artist in residence, David’s commitment to Watershed is long standing.

David has served as the Faculty Advisor of Ceramics at the Maryland Institute College of Art, and has taught and been a visiting artist at numerous locations including University of Missouri-Columbia, Alfred University, Kansas City Art Institute, and the Tainan National College of Art, Taiwan. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally including in the GICBiennale Incheon, Korea, solo exhibitions at the Jane Hartsook Gallery, Greenwich House Pottery, NY, NY, Schulman Project, Baltimore, MD and many others. He has received numerous awards including, Individual Artist Awards from the Maryland State Arts Council, the Lighton Foundation, and the McKnight Foundation

David lives in Brunswick with his wife Catherine, a textile designer and artist, and son, Ronan.

Studio & Facilities Manager: Matthew Dercole (he/him)

Matthew Dercole brings a wealth of studio management and teaching experience and a wide range of skill & expertise in ceramic materials, equipment and techniques. As a previous resident, summer staff member, artist and educator with deep ties to the ceramics community, Matthew has an appreciation of the positive impact a Watershed residency experience has on artists and looks forward to contributing to Watershed’s creative community as Studio & Facilities Manager.

Matthew received his MFA in Ceramics from the University of Iowa. He has held positions as Work Study at the Clay Studio in Philadelphia, and studio staff at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts. He has participated as Artist in Residence at the Lux Center for the Arts in Lincoln NE, Lillstreet Art Center in Chicago IL, and Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg TN. Matthew has worked for artist Theaster Gates and Rebuild Foundation and has held instructor positions in ceramics at multiple art centers and universities across the US. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including museums in Spain, Croatia, South Korea and Slovenia.

Studio & Facilities Coordinator: Milly McClellan (she/her)
Milly (Emily) McClellan joins the Watershed team as Studio & Facilities Coordinator. After working in wood shop, clay, and textile arts fabrication for the past five years, she has landed in Maine to be closer to her New England family, and focus on her clay practice. Milly was born and raised in Chicago and holds a BA in Studio Art from Lewis and Clark College. She now lives in Edgecomb where she spends her time gardening, building sculptures, and making darkroom photos of her sculptures.

Program Coordinator: Aidan Fraser (she/her)

Aidan works behind the scenes to organize Watershed’s residencies, workshops, events, and exhibitions. A ceramist herself, she owns and operates Luster Hustler Ceramics. A Humanities graduate of the University of Southern Maine, Aidan has worked in clay for more than 10 years, starting with Raku firing at Watershed as a teenager and more recently firing the salt and wood kilns. She has worked at several Maine pottery studios, including Edgecomb Potters, Damariscotta Pottery, Running with Scissors Studios, and C&M Ceramics. While working at The Good Supply – a shop in Bristol, ME that features work by Maine artists and artisans – Aidan developed a passion for learning about other artists’ processes.  At Watershed, Aidan is thrilled to work in the office on programs and events, and on her own work in the Windgate Studio.

Senior Development Manager: Every Leclair (she/they)

Every is the friendly face behind Watershed’s fundraising. Creativity is Every’s raison d’etre. They make art, would eat art (well, depending…), probably dream art, and definitely wake up ready for more art. Not super surprisingly, they’ve devoted their career to supporting the arts. Every has worked for major art museums and tiny arts organizations alike, fifteen years of which have been in communications, development, and leadership. They are honored to be a part of Watershed’s long legacy of providing artists with the time and space required for full creative thought and expression. 
 
Development Assistant: Eloise Warren (she/her)
Eloise is thrilled to be a new member of the Watershed team. She grew up in Maine and returned in 2023 to be closer to family after nearly 20 years in California where she moved to pursue an MFA in studio art in 2004. The remainder of those twenty years her career was with the National Park Service working in museum collections preservation and management. She lives in Edgecomb where she spends her free time making art, repairing old furniture and weeding an old garden.
 
Communications Coordinator: Callie Jacks (they/them)
Callie is an interdisciplinary artist and chef with work experience on farms, in kitchens, and studios. They hold a BA in Studio Arts from Bard College and an Italian Master’s in Applied Gastronomy from the University of Gastronomic Sciences. They are deeply passionate about ecology, knitting, and simple food. Callie grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and lives in Portland, Maine.